The
Steez XBD rod features the same clean construction of other Steez rods just not
as flashy. The Air-beam reel seat colors have been toned down to a more
conservative looking grey and the machined aluminum fore nut is a gunmetal grey
while the winding checks also match nicely. The guides are all Fuji titanium
framed SIC to resist damage from braided line and are positioned closer to the
blank with the intention of reducing pressure and twist under load.

The rod features a split grip
design

The rod’s
overall understated look makes this particular rod look the most utilitarian of
all the Steez rods, yet there is something undeniably clean about the rod’s
overall design, it looks “pure.” The rod matches up well with a number of reels
including the Steez reels themselves but actually seemed to balance out slightly
better with the Zillion reels or the JDM Alphas Ito (which looked sweet on this
rod).

Lab Tests: Before
the rod ever saw a drop of water it spent time in our lab and faced our RoD
WRACK for measurement. The
Steez XBD rod has a balance point at 8.5" and a very respectable balancing
torque of only 0.24 foot pounds which is one of the reasons why this particular
rod does not feel tip heavy like so many other frog rods.

BIG Sticks Lab Results

Model

Avg RoD (2-32oz)

Taper

Measured Weight (oz)

Balance Point (inches)

Balancing Torque (ftlbs)

St. Croix MOJO MBC79HF

0.88

Fast

6.2

12.5

0.44

Power Tackle PG104-76

1.32

Mod-Fast

5.4

10.75

0.28

Zombie 7'3" Heavy Pitch

1.25

X-Fast

7.5

3.25

0.12

e21 CMG701XH-F-C

1.25

Fast

3.8

10

0.19

e21 CMG761H-F-C

1.39

Fast

4.1

11

0.24

STZ741XHFBA XBD

1.50

Fast

5.3

8.5

0.24

A close up of the blank displays
the bias graphite fiber construction

All of the "Big" sticks we
compared the XBD rod to are characterized by their ability to handle deflection weights of up to 48 ounces
versus the 32 ounces we go to with normal sticks. Typically, sticks we've seen in this space have been swimbait sticks, but really, this can include flipping sticks, punching sticks,
and frog sticks like the Steez XBD. While some of these sticks can be used for
multiple applications and in some ways qualify for our "Search for One" rods
they really are a different animal as they are more application specific and
geared towards true heavy applications like slinging big baits and fishing the
slop.

Machined winding checks match the
fore-nut

Real World Tests:
I paired the XBD rod with a variety of reels including Daiwa Steez reels, the
new Zillion Type R and the JDM Alphas Ito. I also used a variety of line
including Izorline hollowbraid with a Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, Powerpro and
Daiwa’s own Samurai braid. I fished this rod for over two seasons taking it
everywhere from my home water on the California Delta and Clear Lake to Lake
Falcon, Texas.

The split grip portion features a
completely different weaved carbon look